Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has fined Techno Offshore €1.2 million for providing unlicensed online gaming in the Netherlands.
The British Virgin Island-based operator of the nolimitbet.com and simplecasino.com brands has been issued the fine after failing to take steps to prevent players in the Netherlands from gambling on its websites.
This was confirmed by an investigation which took place between April and June 2024, during which the regulator found no evidence of geo-blocking measures or other technical restrictions to prevent Dutch players from registering and depositing on the sites.
The regulator also noted the availability of Dutch language customer support services and the use of the Dutch language in certain promotions and payment instructions.
The size of the fine also reflects the fact that both sites failed to carry out identity verification at the time of registration, and offered autoplay and turboplay options, which are prohibited in the Netherlands due to concerns that they encourage excessive gambling.
Techno Offshore was given the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw from the market in July 2024 but failed to do so.
“Licensed providers in the Netherlands must adhere to strict rules to protect players from gambling addiction,” said KSA chair Michel Groothuizen.
“With illegal providers, we often see that no account is taken of the prevention of risky gaming behaviour, for example, by not using age verification, enabling payments with crypto, or a lack of gaming limits.
“We take tough action against these types of parties, because they attract players to illegal offerings and players are insufficiently protected there.”